White House cites Sen. Richard Shelby 'silliness' over holds

(Press-Register photo)Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa.WASHINGTON -- The White House's top spokesman accused Sen. Richard Shelby of political pettiness Friday following allegations that the Tuscaloosa Republican is sitting on dozens of federal appointments because of home state issues that include the Air Force's aerial refueling tanker project.

"If that's not the poster child for how this town needs to change the way it works, I fear there won't be a greater example of silliness throughout the entire year of 2010," Robert Gibbs said in reply to a reporter's question at a news briefing.

The dig came one day after a spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said that Shelby had placed a "blanket hold" on White House nominees for numerous jobs, including federal judgeships and positions in the Defense Department.

In response, Shelby spokesman Jonathan Graffeo referred to an earlier statement saying that the senator is delaying action on several White House nominees over "unaddressed national security concerns." The nation would be a safer place if the administration were as concerned about fighting terrorism as it is about "low-level" nominees, the statement continues.

Graffeo declined a request from the Press-Register to interview Shelby, saying there was "not an opportunity."

Although largely unknown to the public, holds are a standard tool for senators seeking leverage with the White House. Because the Senate routinely conducts business on "unanimous consent" agreements between all 100 members, it normally takes objections from just one lawmaker to block confirmation of a nominee.

On Monday, Shelby stopped four administration candidates - including an appointee for a top State Department intelligence job - from winning confirmation, according to a transcript in the Congressional Record.

On Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican who said he was acting on Shelby's behalf, again held up approval for the four, although he added that Shelby was in discussions with the administration. According to a list provided by Reid's office, more than 80 other candidates could ultimately be affected, depending on how long the standoff continues.

Blanket holds are rare, according to congressional experts.

But in 2004, Reid threatened such a hold - excepting nominees for judgeships and Pentagon jobs - in prodding fellow lawmakers to confirm an aide to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, according to a newspaper article provided by Graffeo.

In his earlier statement, Graffeo said that the Pentagon needed to rework the draft bid package for the tanker contract in the interests of fairness and transparency.

A team led by Northrop Grumman Corp. has promised up to 1,500 jobs in Mobile if its side wins the work, but is accusing the Pentagon of a tilt toward rival Boeing Co.

Shelby is also objecting to an administration bid to cut some $94 million in previously approved funding for a planned facility at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville that would analyze the "improvised explosive devices" being used against U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to the statement and other materials provided by his office.

While the White House budget office is seeking to cut the funding, the FBI supports the project, those materials suggest. An FBI spokeswoman could not be reached for comment Friday.